Basavanagudi Kadalekai Parishe
Popularly known as the groundnut festival, the Kadalekayi Parishe welcomes the first yield of the groundnut crop. Karnataka’s farmers congregate at the Bull Temple each year to seek blessings for a good harvest. Heaps of different varieties and qualities of groundnuts spring up in the area surrounding the Bull Temple, the Dodda Ganesha Shrine, and the Bugle Rock Park in Basavanagudi, one of Bengaluru’s oldest suburbs.
What to expect
During Kadalekai Parishe, visitors buy groundnuts in bulk directly from farmers at prices cheaper than market rates. During Kadalekai Parishe special pooja and prayers are held at the bull temple. Decorated streets will have lots of shopping options, food outlets, games and toys for kids. Locals look forward to the festival and indulge in celebrations as well as shopping.
History
Before Bengaluru grew in size, villages adjacent to Basavanagudi had several groundnut cultivation farms and every year, groundnut was a major producer. Legend says every year, groundnut crops used to get damaged by a raging bull that would attack the farms ready for harvest. To protect their harvest, farmers prayed to Basava (Nandi) and offered their first crop to the Lord. An idol of Basava was found and Kempe Gowda built a temple around it in the 16th century, which is known as Basavana Gudi or Big Bull Temple. Kadalekai Parishe is centered around this temple and the belief that Basava or Bull would consume farmer’s offering of ground nuts and bless them.
When is Kadalekai Parishe celebrated
Basavanagudi Kadalekai Parishe is held on the last Monday of Karthika Masa each year. As the festival follows Hindu calendar, its exact date as per English calendar doesn’t stay fixed. Watch out for media announcements during November each year to know exact dates or check with your local hosts and stay tuned to updates on our social media pages and our website for announcements.